The best family holidays destinations for a wholesome getaway in 2023

Remember when you used to be able to book holidays on a whim? Before you were hog-tied to the school holidays, and hoteliers didn’t line up to fleece you with their “premium” rates. Nowadays, if you are going to dig deep for your two weeks of sun, sea or snow, you might as well enjoy yourself. All of which means luxury travel for families has never been so dynamic, with resorts, hotels and retreats all being curated so that they can be enjoyed by different personalities simultaneously. 'Cos let’s face it, families come in all shapes and sizes. 

So if you're itching for a proper family holiday, it’s time to let those long-dreamed plans come to fruition. From hot air ballooning in the red Moroccan skies to flying Golden Eagles in Irish woodlands, here are six family-friendly holidays that will entertain and entice you almost as much as they will the kids.

Cretan Malia Park

• Location: Hersonissos, Crete
• Price: From £132 per night

Cretan Malia Park forces you to switch off and lose your place in time. With an emphasis on sustainability and serenity, this setting is ideal for modern families looking for a luxurious retreat. Everything you experience has been considered with the environment in mind, including 8,000 square feet of serene organic gardens that bristle with the scents of sage, thyme and rosemary. As a family-run enterprise, the whole property has been aligned with ideals of heritage and family at its core. You can see a celebration of the Crete’s past and present in the dynamic design and furnishings with ceramics, loom weaving, embroidery and expert metal work all working in harmony with an exuberant modernity that oozes Bohemian flare. As such, you get an enriching snapshot into the soul of a nation, the ideal backdrop to add to your next family photo album.

For you: Head to the spa for a 55-minute massage filled with pinewood and lavender, and you’ll leave feeling refreshed, rested and rejuvenated. There’s also a sandy private beach that spills out into the hotel where you can find rainbow cocktails garnished in Turkish delight, as well as a menu that's bristling with tropical fruit. 

For the family: A natural spring lagoon snakes around the entire complex, but for kids big and small there’s a heated outdoor pool – inflatable unicorns are available upon request. Elsewhere, the Organic Kitchen Garden majors in traditional dishes that are as nutritious as they are unforgettable. Decked out with twinkling fairy lights, and a view of the open coal cooking surrounded by vines and olive trees you can dine out on chargrilled peaches and beetroot, glazed in balsamic vinegar, with a hearty dollop of greek yoghurt and the kind of Greek olive oil you'll want to smuggle home in your suitcase.

 Le Fitz Roy

• Location: Rond Point des Pistes, Val Thorens
• Price: From £420 per night

Surround yourself with the natural beauty of the French Alps for a family ski holiday at Le Fitz Roy. Situated in Val Thorens, you will step out of the hotel into a winter sports paradise that's a popular hotspot for families thanks to its accessibility to ski schools and Apres Ski landmarks, such as the iconic La Folie Douce. 

Never skied before? Le Fitz Roy is a great gateway to the slopes, with game-changing ski equipment hired on-site. Prepare to have your breath taken away by the clear blue skies illuminating snowy mountain peaks. If the views alone aren't enough to let you know you are in good hands, the Diptyque products stashed in the bathroom cabinets should do the trick. Well on its way to B Corp certification, the materials of its chalet interiors have been sourced with the preservation of the Alps in mind, such as the stunning emerald green bathrooms with marble that's been sustainably retrieved locally.

For you: The ski-in, ski-out concept makes for the ideal basecamp to reset and rejuvenate between thrilling slope sessions. Robotic massage boots are available in your room upon request, so you can soothe your hamstrings while feasting on a smorgasbord of French cheeses, apricots, fig jam and hazelnuts that are all waiting for you upon your arrival.

For the family: Kids can start ski school as soon as they are out of diapers and so the hotel is helpfully situated slap bang in the middle of the beginners' green ski route. When they're not burning every last ounce of energy off on the slopes, you'll likely find them conked out by the fireplace with a hot chocolate in hand – whipped cream and marshmallows are technically optional. Better still, all the rooms also come equipped with a projector for cinema nights after long days of making memories in the mountains.

Fairmont Royal Palm Marrakech

• Location: Tameslouht, Marrakech
• Price: From £442 per night

Located only 20 minutes away from the hustle and bustle of Medina of Marrakech, the Fairmont puts you right where you need to be to get an authentic snapshot of Morocco's vibrant culture. With views spanning over 231 hectares, the hotel is backdropped against the stunning snow-capped Atlas Mountains. The sophisticated layout will make you feel at one with nature as you stroll under the olive and orange trees shading you from the golden North African sun. The only source of hesitation for would-be explorers? It's hard not to get caught up in this haven of good vibes. If you find yourself doing sun salutations in front of palm trees to the sweet sounds of chirping birds, then just know that we don't blame you.

For you: Enjoy an elite 18-hole golf experience and a state-of-the-art fitness centre with four professional tennis courts on-site. And if you fancy engaging in something outside your comfort zone? There are a host of unique activities like martial arts to blow off some steam whilst acquiring some new skills that might even impress the teenager in your life. 

For the family: With the largest kid's club in Morocco, whose activities span everything from bouncy castles to hot air balloon rides, there's plenty here to capture the imagination. An open-air kitchen experience offers education on farm-to-table cooking that starts as you venture around the gardens to greet the resident animals and get involved in picking traditional herbs like oregano. It's a mouthwatering experience that's enriched with the mantra of sustainable cooking and conservation. 

Adare Manor 

• Location: Village of Adare, Limerick
• Price: From £750 per night

Adare Manor has a real ‘inner child healing’ energy about it with its lush Irish gardens electrifying the place. Its traditional estate interiors will steal your heart if the royal woods haven't done so already. Not least because memories of cosying up in front of the fire to the scent of figs, spices and charring wood are the kind thing that can tide your spirits over in the aftermath of many a backseat brawl or bedtime tantrum.

For curious minds, there are a whole host of wholesome woodland activities to enjoy, such as falconry and even a gun dog experience. Better still, you can crank things up a notch when feeding the family with once-in-a-lifetime culinary via on-site Michelin-star dining. With everything you need on location and a concierge that will bend over backwards for you, it's no wonder this was Conde Nast Travellers' Best Resort in the world for 2022.

For you: The newly relaunched 111skin spa is a godsend when craving a bit of luxe self-care time amidst a wholesome itinerary. Get yourself that well-deserved facial with some of the best skincare in the game. If you know anything about golf, the news that the Manor is hosting the Ryder Cup in 2027 will already be on your radar. What you may not know, is that the course is one of the few in the world with water-control technology to keep the grass level, clean and dry – it's been tried and tested personally by champions such as Tiger Woods and Danny Willet.

For the family: Breakfast in the dining hall feels is a real highlight. Upon arrival, you're greeted with a smile and a wellness shot containing pressed juice and ginger. Everyone can have their eggs their way with a personalised breakfast menu.  When that's all done you can borrow a bike to ride around the entire site through the woodlands and golf trails, indulging in the beautiful Irish skies that ignite the Manor. 

Blue Palace 

• Location: Plaka, Crete
• Price: From £233 per person

This extravagant five-star village-style resort is a mini island with a private beach on the glowing coast of Plakos Crete. You will feel like you are in a kingdom fit for Poseidon, submerged in infinity pools, shimmering Crete coastlines and colossal Roman architecture. As soon as you arrive, the concierge will make you laugh and feel as royal as the deep blue (synonymously Greek) motif that sweeps around the interiors and rooms. As you'd expect, the Blue Palace has all the luxuries that are deserving of a hotel of its calibre, as well as an authentic commitment to sustainability with the palace being powered by solar energy thanks to year-round sunshine. The newly launched private villas are excellent for fulfilling your family getaway desires, with a private pool and patio with serotonin-raising 360 views. 

For you: To explore the island, you can hike through the mountain-like surroundings capturing the essence of the hotel's natural beauty that snakes down towards the Aegean Sea… Or switch your mind off, and bask in the poolside heat whilst staff bring you cold towels. For when you can be bothered to move a muscle, the rooftop bar is a serene setting to enjoy feta and tomatoes drowned in Crete's finest olive oil as you watch the hazy pink skies at sunset. 

For the family: If your family lives for a thrill-seeking adventure you’ll be delighted to know there are a range of watersports available on demand, including jet skis to paddleboards. For a real treat, hop aboard the traditional wooden caique – a Greek boat that will whisk you away, feed you and depending on what family you bring, get you sozzled to your heart’s content. Or take a trip to Spinalonga, a national monument and open-air museum, the ancient leper island on which Victoria Hislop's novel The Island was set.

Forte Village, Sardinia

• Location: Cagliari coastline, southern Sardinia
• Price: From £405 per person

A beautiful beach resort set among acres of mature pine forests and tropical gardens. Soak up the sun on the beach, by the pool, outside your private villa or in one of the 21 restaurants. With an underrated coastline and nourishing warm embrace of south Italian culture to feast your heart and mind on, this is everything a typical resort is and should be. Alas, few are set against the backdrop of the pristine Mediterranean coastline of Cagliari. With live music every night and food to touch your soul, you will feel the magic of Italian family traditions as you're compelled to relax, eat and socialize with your family. As it turns out, they're really not a bad bunch to be around.

For you: Feeling energetic? You can hit the gym, play tennis, practice your swing on the driving range (and put it to good use at the nearby Molas Golf Club), or borrow a bike head up into the mountains. Honestly, we wouldn't blame you for focusing on indulgence instead courtesy of one of the three restaurants run by Michelin-starred chefs, including Gordon Ramsay at the Gordan Ramsay Restaurant. Crucially, they all serve wine. 

For the Family: Forte Village calls them academies, which is another way of saying kids clubs that your kids will actually want to spend time in. Our pick of the bunch? If you can bear the branding, it's the Chelsea Football Academy, where boys and girls are coached in the beautiful game. If they don’t like football, there are also rugby, cricket, netball, fencing and swimming academies. Besides, we had to include at least one resort with its own water park. 

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